It was a breezy afternoon, the atmosphere gloomy and the
wind turbulent, just like my insides! The air,filled with an agonizing and dreary tone,the sea of people dresses in blue and black blurred my vision. My tears welled up
and I blinked.
There I was standing at the entrance of the Ribandar church
attending the funeral of Anasthasia, when just a year ago we were both
animatedly chatting on our college stairs and as teenagers ,discussing our
‘philosophies’ over life and plans for the future…..I never believed the
‘future’ would be that short!!
Here was a girl, exceptionally pleasant and down to earth,
always helpful and had this beautiful gift wherin all she had to do was smile
and the room would light up! At one end she had an academic brilliance that was
a little short of Albert Einstein’s and on the other, she was helping her
college win fashion shows with her beauty and elegance! Everything was
going for her, and yet this is where,as most of us would put it, life
happened!!
Exactly a year ago,she was diagnosed with leukaemia!What followed was nothing short of hell..spending days in the ICU,chemotheraphy,surgeries,sores and endless days shifitng in and out of the hospital..the emotional turmoil of having to come to terms with the unfairness of life being the worst of the lot!
I blinked again,as the church bells broke my chain of thoughts.Service had ended and they were carrying the body towards the cemetery and that's when I saw her for the last time,dressed up as a bride in a white coffin,beautiful as always and more importantly,peaceful!Her ordeal had ended.
I don't really know how to conclude this,but all I can say is,this is in fond memory of Anasthasia Ferrao, a genuinely beautiful soul and an amazing friend to have!May you rest in peace...Love you always.
